At an interfaith panel discussion, three North Texas religious leaders promoted understanding and dialogue among Muslims, Jews, and Christians.
by Amina Khan
Amid a vexed political and social climate, three religious leaders in North Texas—a priest, an imam, and a rabbi—proved it’s possible to come together in times of division. The Rev. Dr. Chris Girata, Imam Omar Suleiman, and Rabbi David Stern gathered at Saint Michael and All Angels Church in Dallas last Thursday to discuss where their respective faiths diverge, and where they unite. The panel discussion, presented by the Women of Saint Michael and moderated by the Rev. Amy Heller, drew in people of all backgrounds.
To promote understanding, Suleiman, the founder and president of the Yaqeen Institute for Islamic Research in Las Colinas and a professor of Islamic studies at SMU, invited people to approach a Muslim woman and ask her why she covers her hair. Stern, rabbi at Dallas’ Temple Emanu-El, talked about the idea that all disagreements are precious. Girata, the rector at St. Michael, discussed the issues that stem from being geographically and physically secluded from one another. All three speakers said that the way we view morality is changing, and that consciousness is the ultimate resistance to bigotry.
Anna Eikerts said she had knowledge of all three religions, but was impressed by how well the three religious leaders interacted.
“It was interesting to see the different perspectives. I was raised Christian and converted to Islam so I actually knew a lot about Christianity, to begin with,” she said. “But, as a convert, to see all the different sides and see them interact and have a dialogue was really interesting.”
“This was better than I expected. There was such a warmth about the experience that I really enjoyed,” said Amal Said, an attendee at the event. “I love how well they communicated with each other and that it wasn’t a bash-fest. Everyone was under the same understanding that they were all in this together, and that we’re trying to grow to be better.”
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